Solar Power Covered 61% of US Electricity Growth in 2025

America's electricity appetite grew by a massive 135 terawatt-hours in 2025, and solar power stepped up to feed it.

According to energy think tank Ember, solar generation jumped by a record 83 terawatt-hours last year, a 27% increase that covered 61% of all new electricity demand nationwide. That single-year solar gain outpaced every other power source in the country.

The timing couldn't be better. As data centers, factories, and electric vehicles push electricity demand higher, solar is proving it can scale fast enough to keep pace without adding pollution.

Texas and the Midwest saw the biggest solar wins. In both regions, solar met 81% of demand growth, generating power exactly where people needed it most.

Solar also solved its biggest problem in 2025. Thanks to rapidly expanding battery storage, solar energy now powers homes and businesses well past sunset. Between 10 am and 6 pm, solar generation alone covered the entire rise in US electricity demand. Then batteries kicked in, helping meet demand from 6 pm to 2 am.

California's experience shows how batteries are changing the game. Over six years, the state's solar and battery generation climbed 58%, but output during the sunniest midday hours increased just 8%. That means California is storing sunshine and using it when families come home and turn on their lights.

The Ripple Effect

This solar surge means cleaner air in cities where demand is growing fastest. It means more stable electricity prices as cheap solar offsets expensive peak-hour power. And it means America is building the infrastructure to handle tomorrow's electricity needs without yesterday's pollution.

The growth also creates thousands of jobs installing panels and batteries across the country. Every new solar farm means construction workers, electricians, and maintenance crews earning steady paychecks in their local communities.

Dave Jones, Ember's chief analyst, sees even bigger potential ahead. "Solar has the potential to meet all the rise in electricity demand and much more," he said. "With electricity demand surging, the case to build solar has never been stronger."

The momentum is only building. Federal projections suggest that all net new generating capacity added in 2026 may come from renewable sources, with solar leading the charge.

America just proved it can power its growth with sunshine.